Johnny Young has died at the age of 79 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. As reported by ABC, he was most well known for being a singer and a TV host in Australia.
His family confirmed his tragic passing in a statement shared with the outlet. "Johnny was the creator, host and producer of the much-loved television show Young Talent Time."
Young Talent Time was a popular entertainment TV show which entertained a generation of young Australians. It ran from 1971 all the way until 1988, with it starring numerous Australian legends like Dannii Minogue and Tina Arena.
However, Young was more than just a TV host - he was also a music star in his own right. "He wrote and produced many iconic hit songs," his family wrote. They more specifically mentioned "The Real Thing" and "Smiley".
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The Singer Was Inducted into the Hall of Fame
Back in 2010, Young was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame. At the time, Arena paid tribute to him by singing one of his tracks at the award show, "Here Comes The Star".
She also described him as "like a father".
Young said of the award, "I've had an amazingly lucky and fulfilling career, which started out in music when I was 14. The Hall of Fame is a different kind of nod as it's judged by my peers and rewards my songwriting and contribution to the music industry."
Tributes Have Poured in for Johnny Young
Tributes have poured in for the singer and TV host, from contemporaries to fans alike.
Arena herself lamented his loss on social media, writing, "I'm struggling to find the words today to express the profound loss of a man who allowed, and equally encouraged, me to find my voice!"
"Just know that you leave behind a beautiful legacy that we will continue to uphold because you deserve that, and much more."
Commenters on social media also shared their condolences. One wrote, "Johnny created a wonderfully wholesome legacy in Australian entertainment. A remarkable legacy. God Bless you Johnny."
Another commenter shared an old vinyl that they had from Young's golden days.
May he rest in peace.
